Welcome to Your Union!

UAW 872 (formerly GSWOC) is the union of over 3,000 Graduate Student Workers (GSWs) working as Teaching Assistants, Research Assistants, Assistant Lecturers, and Fellows at USC.

Since forming a union in February 2023, GSWs have won major improvements to our compensation and working conditions through collective bargaining — improvements that make USC’s research mission stronger and more equitable. Your union contract includes:

WAGES & BENEFITS

  • Up to 24.8% raises over four years, minimum annual stipend of $40,000 starting Fall ‘24, guaranteed annual wage increases

  • NEW protections against late pay

  • NEW childcare fund, providing parents with up to $3,600 annually per child under age 6

  • NEW dependent healthcare fund, providing up to $5,000 annually per GSW

  • Remission of all mandatory University fees

WORKPLACE PROTECTIONS

  • Protections against workplace harassment and discrimination, including the right to file a grievance, as well as improved transparency and clear timelines for Title IX

  • Immigration protections, including a legal fund and paid time off for visa proceedings

  • Protections against unjust discipline and dismissal, untimely accommodations, and inadequate training

  • Leaves policies, including the enforceable right to one semester paid parental leave, one semester paid health leave, five annual sick days, and five annual bereavement days